Maple News reports that a new study from Desjardins Economic Studies underscores the importance of expanding skilled immigration to address critical labour shortages in Canada’s construction sector. The findings, released amidst a growing housing affordability crisis, suggest that attracting qualified newcomers could be a vital part of the solution.
The report emphasizes that skilled immigrants can help fill pressing gaps in construction-related jobs, a sector struggling to meet the demand driven by Canada’s booming population. However, the study also points to systemic barriers preventing many newcomers from reaching their full potential, such as workplace discrimination and harassment. Addressing these issues, the report notes, is crucial for maximizing the productivity of immigrant workers.
The urgency of the situation is amplified by Canada’s rapid population growth. According to Statistics Canada, the national population reached 40.5 million in Q3 of 2023—growing by over 430,000 in just three months. The Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) estimates that an additional 3.5 million housing units will be needed beyond current construction efforts by 2030 to balance supply with demand.
Soaring home prices continue to fuel the crisis. As of December 2023, the Canadian Real Estate Association reported the average home price at $657,145 nationwide, with prices exceeding $1 million in major urban centers like Toronto and Vancouver.
Despite the evident need for more construction workers, immigrants and non-permanent residents (NPRs) remain underrepresented in the industry. The Desjardins report, drawing from the 2021 Canadian Census, shows that less than 22% of the construction workforce is made up of NPRs and immigrants—a figure largely unchanged since 2019.
Construction ranks only 15th among the top 20 employment industries by workforce size, pointing to untapped potential in recruiting more newcomers into this vital sector.
Experts argue that reallocating training resources, easing credential recognition, and improving job conditions for newcomers could be key strategies to bolster Canada’s housing capacity and labor resilience.
As the country navigates population growth and economic development, targeted immigration—particularly of skilled tradespeople—could play a defining role in ensuring sustainable growth and improved housing affordability.
Maple News will continue to track how Canadian policymakers and businesses respond to these challenges and recommendations.